News

Rain helps Wisconsin’s crops

Timely rain during critical growth stages helped Wisconsin’s corn and soybeans last week.  USDA statistician Greg Bussler says there are still areas impacted by drought that still have poor hay and pasture conditions.

USDA says topsoil conditions show 55% of the fields have adequate moisture, with 33% short and 11% very short of moisture, with less moisture in the subsoil.

Ninety-one percent of Wisconsin’s corn is silking, wth 39% in the dough stage.  Fifty-five percent of the corn is reported as good or excellent, up two percent from a week ago.

Ninety percent  of the state’s soybeans haver bloomed, with 63% of the beans setting pods.  Fifty-two percent of the soybeans are rated good to excellent, equal to last week.

Eleven percent of the potato crop is harvested.  Eighty-eight percent of winter wheat is harvested.  Fifty-six percent of the oats are harvested.

The third cutting of alfalfa is now 76% finished, with 9% of the fourth cutting also done.  Forty-four percent of all hay is reported as good to excellent, slightly down from a week ago.